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Chapter 41 Part 1

Daniel's P.O.V

2 years later....

It has been two years now since the horrible incident that happened on supposedly the most special day of the two love of my life.

We just celebrated Jared's 7th birthday yesterday, it seemed like we celebrated for someone who does not exist at all, albeit all the effort to make it happy.

Jared. Oh God. My heart and soul breaks into pieces every single day of the years passed. I didn't know what to do anymore or how to live when the two most important people in my life was somewhere that I could not reach.

Yes, Jared and Angelo are still breathing, however, they are nothing but a body. A body that eats, drink, and sleep. Nothing else more. Their body was just a mere vessels that was waiting for them to come back.

Ever since that horrific moment on Jared's 5th birthday, everything has changed. Jared's condition came back. He was traumatized by the event and he completely shut down himself from the world. He never talked nor engaged in any activity at all. At night, he wakes up screaming and crying. Sometimes, he even pee and poop himself. It went like that for straight two years. The doctor were doing some therapy but it never seemed to work. There were no changes even a single bit.

His last words was 'Papa'.

The once cheerful and sweet child was now replaced by an empty vessel. His plump cheek has sunken deep due to loss of appetite over the years. His eyes were as dead as the dolls in the shopping malls. His skin that was once radiating warmth was now pale.

For two years, I almost gave up. However, I kept telling myself that I need to live for Jared and Angelo's sake. I couldn't afford to have a mental break down as well while the two precious people in my life was trapped in their own world.

Every single day from the past 2 years, I never gave up taking care for Jared. I deferred my degree to take care of my son full time; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every day, I kept talking to my little angel, hoping to get even a single response. It went like that for two long years. I was longing for the sound of his voice. I was longing for his cheerfulness and bubbliness and for everything about him. I miss Jared so much it hurts.

The Grande family was kindly supporting our needs. They insisted, especially Maria, that they will help us on whatever Jared needs. She said that we became a family as soon as Angelo started treating us as his own family.

Now, Angelo's case is different. He is alive, but for two years, he has been sleeping. He was in deep coma.

To add up to my suffering, Angelo's superior evil of a father has forbid anyone from my family and friends to see him. He was blaming me for what happened to Angelo. He wanted to punish me and so, he was trying to take Angelo from me.

The hospital room where Angelo was sleeping were guarded by 10 armed men. Each and every one of the guard has an order to never let me set a foot on the building. The security was tight and only the Grande doctors and nurses, aside from the member of Grande family, are allowed to enter the room. To say, his father, Nicholas Grande, bought the whole level of the hospital.

How did I manage to get some news about Angelo? One man. Sebastian.

Sebastian dedicated his time to look after Jared while Angelo was sleeping. For two years, he has been kindly giving us an update about Angelo's condition. According to him, Angelo has suffered several head damage that he took from the beating. He said that everyone was amazed that he was still alive, which means that Angelo was fighting for his life.

I remember the first time I went to hospital, wanting to see Angelo. I almost got shot. I wasn't aware about the Grande patriarch's order to forbid me seeing Angelo. I was fuming with anger when the guards tried to stop me. I knocked one guy out on the hospital door but there were 5 more bulky men who pinned me down.

That was the time when I thought my life was going to end. I didn't have any problem of dying at that moment. I wanted to die if Jared and Angelo will be gone like that for the rest of time.

Nicholas stepped out of the hospital with his body guards on his both side. He was wearing his expensive suit as he walk through the glass door of the hospital. His head was held high as he gave me a despising and grave look. "What do you want here? This is all your fault! You are useless! I know you are good for nothing. I shouldn't let Angelo to be with you in the very first moment!" he gushed, anger seeping through each and every word.

I was taken aback and for a moment, I accepted that it was actually my fault. However, my focus was to see and hold Angelo in my arms. That was what I came from, and not to blame myself. I needed to know if he was alright. Jared needed to know if his Papa was alright.

I was pinned down on the ground by four men. The people outside the hospital has started to gather around to have a look at the scene. I struggled to get away from their grip but they were too strong for me. "I wanted to see Angelo! I need to know what is going on with him!" I insisted, trying to break from the men's grips.

Nicholas gave me a dead look. "You don't have any rights to see him." He turned his back on me. "Men, teach this bastard a lesson." He ordered as he stirred himself towards his car.

I was been pulled up by the security and was brought at the dark alley of the hospital. They throw me on the wet floor rather harshly as they started laughing like a lunatic. The other two guys picked me up and held my arms so that I can stand up. The other guy with a shoulder length hair hit me hard in the stomach. "Ooofff!" as soon as the massive strong fist collided on my stomach.

They took turn on punching me until I couldn't stand up anymore. "Kill me you bastards! Just fucking kill me!" I taunted. I was gasping for air while crawling my way to the wall to sit up.

"Well, if you wish." Said the long hair guy and pointed his gun on me. I noticed that the gun has a silencer. 'Good.' I thought to myself. 'Now someone will find me lifeless here without knowing that I was shot by this dogs.'

I closed my eyes and waited for the bullet piercing my body. It didn't come.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the men lying unconscious (or so I assumed) on the ground. Sebastian was standing in front of me as he was giving me a questioning look.

In a calm and polite manner, he spoke. "And what exactly are you trying to do Mr. Bradley, sir?"

I smirked at his politeness and formality. "You just saved my ass. You did not kill them, did you?" I asked, a little bit scared inside.

Sebastian looked at the bodies lying on the ground. "They are just unconscious. I didn't have any order to kill them. My master ordered me to keep you and Jared safe. I'm doing my job." He said. "You did not answer my question, sir."

I sighed and tried to get up but I slammed hardly on the ground. My lips tasted like blood from the cut added to that, both of my side hurts. "I can't live like this Sebastian. I need Jared and Angelo in my life. I couldn't live knowing that Angelo and Jared are not alright." I explained, tears started to form in my eyes while I clutched to my aching stomach.

"Sir, with all due respect. You are not helping to the situation. You are making it worst." he said, his tall posture towering me below. "My master is alright. However, he is in a coma due to several head injuries he endured to protect and save your son; his son. If you are going to die here, you just threw out all of my master's sacrifices to keep Jared safe. At least be the one my master always expected you to be, a strong and faithful man. Jared needs you, specially now. My master needs you too."

I looked up at Sebastian. I was surprised to hear those words that coming from the man. We never spoke very often, but every time that he engages in a conversation with me, it always hit me hard. His words were like a slap into my face that brought me back to reality. "But they never let me see him. I need to see him." I frowned.

"I am his butler, and I will never let anything bad happen to my master as long as he is sleeping. On the other hand, I have a restrict order to looked out for you and Jared as well. So if you keep yourself out of trouble, I can focus on my master. Do not worry, I will give you updates time by time. I will be your eyes and ears inside the Grande family." He said while holding his hand to me.

I took it and used it as an equilibrium to stand up. "Thanks." I muttered.

"I'll drive you home sir." He offered.

He helped me walked into the parking area, my right hand on his shoulder and my other hand was clutching my stomach. "Sebastian, I have a question."

"What is that, Mr Bradley sir?" he asked politely.

I ignored the title. I have been telling the man to call me Daniel but he never listened and so I gave up. I heaved a deep sigh before convincing myself to ask him the question that was bothering me. "What...." I paused, hesitating to continue my question. "What happened to Chloe and Dylan?"

Sebastian did not utter a single word until we reached the car. He helped me get in the shotgun and drove me back home, forgetting the question I asked beforehand.

In the garage, Alex was waiting worriedly for me. As soon as the car stopped and parked on the driveway, Alex quickly went to open my door to help me out.

"Mate! Where have you been?" he asked, his eyes full of worry and a slight fear as he looked at Sebastian.

I clutched my stomach with my hand when I stepped out of the car. "I went to see Angelo. But it didn't go as I expected."

"Let's take care of that bruises. Seriously, everyone was worried sick about. Don't do that again!" he scolded.

"Sorry man, I promise." I replied, hooking my free hand on his shoulder for support.

I thanked Sebastian before turning my heels to get in the house.

Before driving off once again, Sebastian called out. "Mr. Bradley."

I turned my direction to him. "Yes?" I asked.

"You'll know what happened to them soon enough. Have a good night." He told me and drove off.

"What's that all about?" Alex asked, really confused and worried.

I then realized that he was talking about Chloe and Dylan. It gave me shivers thinking about the possibility that he might killed them too. Actually, I didn't care at all and I felt bad about it.

My mother took care of my bruises before having a dinner. Dianne and Veronica was at the house as well to look after Jared. They were upstairs when the answer to my question for Sebastian flashed out in the television.

We were watching news at that time when suddenly, a breaking news was announced by the anchor man. "Breaking news, two bodies were found floating near the seaport of Brisbane. The two bodies were identified as Dylan Lewis and Chloe Lewis. Police report says that they are cousins. According to the statement released by the police, both of them committed suicide by overdosing with ecstasy and methamphetamine. They have been released recently from prison due to their previous cases of illegal drug trafficking. On the other news..." he reported.

Alex's mouth was hanging open while my mum was in pure shocked. "Suicide." Alex whispered.

Mum stood up and walked to the kitchen without uttering a word, her expression was blank.

We never spoke about Chloe from that day onward.

Apparently, it has been two years since I had the last glimpse of Angelo. His face that day when I held him in my hand was still fresh in my memory. His forehead has a deep cut where blood was oozing out frantically, he has bruises everywhere on his face, and his lips were swollen and bleeding. Angelo was unrecognizable. It still pains me from that memory, and thinking about it makes me want to beat Dylan and Chloe to death myself.

I tried sneaking in to the hospital to see Angelo, especially when Jared's doctor suggested that there is a possibility that Jared would recover if he sees that Angelo is safe. I tried it several times but we were kicked out of the hospital like a dirty and useless rag doll. I even stoop so low in front of Nicholas and Maria to see Angelo, for the sake of my son.

Maria, Angelo's mother, wanted to help me so much. And I know she would. However, her hands were tied as Nicholas was controlling everything. Nicholas is a powerful man.

We were just relying from Sebastian's updates every day, which is always the same. Even Sebastian became really busy all of a sudden. He rarely visits Jared. He was away and whenever I ask him about it, he would just tell me that he was helping me to get Angelo and Jared back. I didn't know what he meant but I trusted him.

Sebastian might be away often, but he never forget to care about Jared. And so during that 6 months, Angelo's three aunties- Aunt Lisa, Aunt Carol, Aunt Anna, came to Australia all the way from the Philippines to take care of Jared. They too were not allowed to see Angelo. In the end, the three of them were helping us to plan something out to see Angelo.

The climate's temperature was starting to cool down on the month of April. It was the same day as the past two years, silent and gloomy. Everyone wasn't expecting an apprehensive and worried looking Sebastian to knock on the door.

The three aunties, Alex, Chloe, Veronica, my mum and I were seating on the table as we just had a dinner when Sebastian came bursting in the dining room.

"Angelo..." he said as he catch his breath.

"What happened? Is he alright? Talk to me Sebastian!" I demanded, praying that everything was alright.

"Sorry. My master is alright." He said.

Everyone sighed in relief.

It was Aunt Lisa who asked a question this time. Her hair we braided tightly around his head. Her eyes full of worry. "And why are you so winded like that?"

"Nicholas will take Angelo to Italy by next week to seek a much advance medical attention and they are planning not to come back here again." Sebastian said, his eyes were piercing right through my soul.

"What? He cannot do that! He cannot take Angelo from me!" I slammed back to my seat while grasping my hair tightly.

Just then, Maria came in. "What is happening? Is everything alright?" she asked innocently.

"Liar! You said you're not taking Angelo away! You are all a liar!" I yelled, venom leaking in my voice pertaining to Maria. My eyes was shedding tears non-stop.

Maria's face was painted with question and surprised. "What? What are you talking about? I don't know what you are talking about." She replied.

Everyone's eyes was gazing at Maria's direction, waiting for any explanation.

"Sebastian, what is happening?" Maria turned her focus on Sebastian.

"Everyone, listen. Master Maria doesn't know anything about Nicholas' plan." He explained.

I regret scolding Angelo's mother right away. But I didn't have time to apologise as everything was in chaos.

"What plan? What is he up to?" Maria asked.

"Ma'am, Sir Nicholas is planning to take the young master to Italy and Sebastian said that he is planning to never come back again." Aunt Carol told Maria, her Filipino accent was strong and hard.

"That's it! We must put an end to Nicholas' stupidity. I'll talk to him, I will never let him take Angelo anywhere." Maria turned her heels on the exit but Sebastian held her arms gently.

"Ma'am, you need to know something more." He said and faced everyone in the room. "You all need to know what I discovered from months of digging information."

Everyone was waiting patiently to what Sebastian was about to say.

"Nicholas gave Chloe a massive amount of money to separate Angelo and Daniel. As soon as he heard that Chloe is back, he took it as a chance to make a way to separate the two permanently. However, Chloe has another plan and used all the money for drugs and to get revenge for Daniel. In return, all Nicholas' plan backfired and now, my master is suffering the consequences." He finished.

"The son of a.." I fumed, standing on my seat, ready to knock Nicholas to death. I didn't care if his body guard were five times stronger than me, or if I get shot dead even before I touch his neck tie. All I want is to give Nicholas the strongest punch in the face.

Alex held me down. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.

"To Nicholas. I'm going to stop that psychopath!" I said, adamant to inflict pain on Nicholas.

It was Sebastian who held me down rather strongly than Alex. "We cannot just walk in to the hospital and declare war, can we? If you don't want any bloodshed, which I don't have any problem with the idea, we need to make an effective plan right away and do it as soon as possible. We don't know what is going on Nicholas' mind and he can take Angelo anytime he wants." He explained, calm and expressionless.

Silence fell around the room as everyone considered Sebastian's words of precautions.

Several hours have passed and we finally made a plan- to wake Angelo and Jared up. The plan doesn't seem convincing at all but we have to at least try it before resolving to Plan B.

We decided to execute the plan the very next day.

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